Saudis book World Cup return

JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia), September 6, 2017

Saudi Arabia's national soccer team has secured qualification to next year’s World Cup in Russia beating Japan 1-0 in their last AFC Round 3 Group B match on Tuesday at Jeddah on Tuesday.

The kingdom is back in the World Cup after an 11-year hiatus.

The Saudis finished in second place in the group behind Japan with 19 points, but they secured their place in the finals thanks to the goal difference ahead of Australia who also have 19 points, said a statement from Fifa.

The kingdom joins Iran, Japan and Korea Republic as the Asian representatives in Russia.

Saudi team owes their win to substitute Fahad Al Muwallad who gave the upper hand for the home side at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah and in front of more than 60,000 spectators, it added.

Russia 2018 will be the fifth appearance for Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup finals after qualifying for the first time back in 1994.

They featured in three consecutive finals afterwards (1998, 2002 and 2006) before missing the last two editions in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, said the statement.-TradeArabia News Servic